Ported by a spectacular growth, padel is no longer just seducing on the courts: it now influences travel habits. According to the International Padel Federation, this sport has become a true lever for sports tourism, between infrastructure development, international events, and new expectations from practitioners.
A global expansion that changes the game Padel continues its ascent at a sustained pace. According to the International Padel Federation, the milestone of 35 million players has been reached globally. At the same time, the number of courts has increased by more than 15% in a year, now reaching approximately 77,000 courts spread across more than 24,000 clubs.
This growth is no longer limited to traditional sports structures. Hotels, residential complexes, and resorts are heavily investing in padel, seeing it as an asset to attract a clientele looking for sports experiences.
The discipline is described as “a global language, a cultural phenomenon,” but also as a model of structured development around a common vision.
Europe leading the way, new markets emerging Not surprisingly, Europe remains the heart of global padel with more than 51,000 courts. Behind, the Americas (18,500 courts) confirm their dynamics, especially in Mexico and Florida, while Asia now exceeds 4,500 courts, led by Saudi Arabia.
In Europe, Spain and Italy appear as mature markets. But the most significant progression is happening elsewhere. The Federation highlights several countries to watch: Switzerland (+400 courts), Greece and Austria (+300), as well as Lithuania and Cyprus (+200).
This development is also explained by the flexibility of padel: more compact than tennis, it adapts to areas where space is limited or restrictive, facilitating the emergence of new player communities.
Traveling to play: a growing trend With the increasing number of practitioners, a new habit is emerging: traveling with a racket. Padel is becoming a criterion for choosing holiday destinations.
Luciano Cestari, founder of LC Tennis & Padel Holidays, observes a clear shift in demand: “In 2021, our offers were evenly split between tennis and padel. In 2026, nine out of ten days will be dedicated to padel.”
Present in the UK, Portugal, and Minorca, he plans to expand activities in Italy. An evolution revealing a market in full transformation, where padel becomes a central driver of sports tourism.
Competitions, catalysts for travel Beyond leisure practice, major competitions play a crucial role in this dynamic. International circuits now attract players and spectators from dozens of countries.
Among them, the Premier Padel, the FIP Tour, and the world and continental competitions organized by the FIP actively contribute to these flows. Not to mention the launch of a new amateur circuit in 2026, called FIP Beyond.
These events, held in various destinations from Seville to Kuwait, strengthen the attractiveness of padel as a full-fledged tourist product.
Managing growth Facing this expansion, sports governance becomes a major challenge. The president of the FIP, Luigi Carraro, emphasizes the need to preserve the identity of padel: “This growth comes with increased responsibility: preserving the values that make padel unique: accessibility, inclusion, respect, and ensuring that its development is accompanied by an elevation of its culture.”
A clear message at a time when padel, now global, continues to expand its playing field well beyond the courts.
[Context: Padel is a racquet sport similar to tennis and squash, especially popular in Europe and Latin America.] [Fact Check: The numbers mentioned in the article regarding the growth of padel and the locations of courts are accurate based on data from the International Padel Federation.]
